Obama: US will work to up support for Syria rebels

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the U.S. and Qatar will continue to work on more support for the Syrian opposition in the coming months.

His remarks come after Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday that the U.S. will double its nonlethal assistance to the opposition. That’s an additional $123 million in supplies that could include armored vehicles, body armor and night vision goggles.

Obama spoke in the Oval Office alongside the emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (HAH’-mihd bihn JAH’-sihm ahl THAH’-nee). The Qatari leader is one of several Mideast leaders Obama has invited to the White House following his trip to the region.

Obama also says he and the emir spoke about Egypt and Middle East peace. He says both leaders are under no illusions about the difficulties in solving the region’s problems.